Dumfries

Sunday 25 July 43

My dearest Maz,

It’s now getting on for 9 pm and I am hoping soon to be told that my call to 2116 is through and that I shall be hearing your voice again – it seems like a year since I was telling you of my safe arrival back at Langholm after that never-to-be-forgotten leave, in fact it’s only 15 days – fantastic.  I put a call through last night and at 9.40 pm was told that the bell had been ringing but that there was no reply – I may be wrong but my guess is that you and Pari were probably at the Lion or the George.

Very many thanks, little Maz, for your letter received on Tuesday, I was delighted to hear of your various outings on Par’s leave and that you have **** the Slovikkis (not spelt correctly but it sounds pretty near!) I heard from Eileen on Saturday that Hugh has at last been awarded the D.S.C. – great show and I know magnificently deserved – please congratulate Aunt Vi from me when you next see her.  I had a very nice letter from her the other day enclosing 10/- for my birthday.  I wrote by return and have asked her to let me have Hugh’s address.

This week in many ways seems to have gone very quickly, nothing of any interest has taken place, but the weather has continued to be perfect – we’ve had no rain now for 10 days – a record for Scotland I should think.  Yesterday Stan and I cycled over to Powfoot where we had 13 holes before tea and 13 holes after before cycling back here at 7.30.  It was lovely playing, very hot but I went well prepared and wore my tropical kit outfit, shirt, shorts and stockings.  I struck rather good form and gave Stan a good trouncing.  As I’m Regimental Field Officer for the week starting today I have been in all this afternoon and had a real good old *** – including a spot of shut eye from 3 – 5.  I woke up just in time for tea!  Next week promises to be a very busy one as I’m the President of a Court of Enquiry on Tuesday and a member of a Regimental Audit Board which has to audit all the accounts in the Regt.  This will take a lot of time I’m afraid.  My Court Martial last Thursday went off well – the deserter had no chance at all, he was absent for 12 weeks, but we had a great tussle in the other case in which a gunner shot his left thumb off and in the end I got him off, much, so I’m told, to the Colonel’s annoyance!  I do so hope this call comes through soon.  I’m afraid this is a very dull letter but really there’s so little to do here that one can’t report any particularly interesting items of news.  You must be having a very strenuous time while Emily is away, please don’t overdo it.  My love to you, Maz dear, and to Pari and Elli.  I really will write to Elli soon tell him.  Take care of yourself and as I say don’t overdo things.

            Ever yours very affectionately

                        Peter

Well done the chaps who went to Hamburg – what a raid!  Did you hear them going over?

In envelope addressed to Mrs Gerald C Benham, 5 Oxford Road Colchester Essex.

Postmarked LOCKERBIE DUMFRIESHIRE dated ** JY 43.  

On back of envelope 9.40 no reply again!  Will try next weekend  P.